As Pride Month gets underway around the world, Jonjo Jury reflects on the sounds, spaces and communities that continue to inspire him. Ahead of his Pride Sunday High set with Bestly, we caught up with him to talk about the music he's listening to, the venues keeping London's queer culture thriving and why Pride remains as important as ever.
How do you approach building a set during Pride Month?
I always just try and have fun with building a DJ set with more than a nod to the vast amount of music made by LGBTQI+ artists, past and present.
How would you describe your sound to someone walking into your set for the first time?
In my 25 year career as a DJ, I'm well known to be a genre hopper and deffo don't like to be contained to a box. If you are walking into a set of me closing Feel It at XOYO at 4am Friday morning, you will be served some filthy house and techno. An earlier set at The Divine in Dalston on a Saturday night, you would more than likely get some early 80s Hi NRG. Sunday's party on the roof of The Standard alongside Bestley, we are thinking definitely some swishy vocal disco will be on the cards.
Which spaces, people or subcultures in London are inspiring you right now?
I find promoters that put on thriving parties currently in London and consistently keep the line ups super diverse hugely inspiring, such as Shay Malt (Adonis), Mark Ashley Dupé (Issa Mad Haus Party/Jungle Kitty Club), Clayton Wright/Saoirse Ryan (Feel It/Body Movements Festival).
Also loving that interesting club spaces are popping up and thriving, such as Distillery in Tottenham and Carpet Shop in Peckham.
Give us 5 songs that set the scene for Pride Month!
You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) - Sylvester
Let's Talk About Gender Baby - Planningtorock
Dame Amour - Panko
What role do venues like The Standard hold in supporting London's creative and queer communities?
Firstly, employing staff that are diverse and encouraged to be authentically themselves. Also, DJs/bookers/promoters from the LGBTQI+ community are hosting events all year round, not just for Pride Month, which I know is very visible at The Standard.
What role do venues like The Standard hold in supporting London’s creative and queer communities?
What was Pride like 20 years ago vs how it is today!?
For a start, central London was way more of a party, with soundsystems on the streets and a parade, which Westminster Council stopped, making it all very contained. As much as I think the parade is still beautiful and vital today, I think huge festivals like Mighty Hoopla and Body Movements are standalone Pride events in themselves. Politically, although people are living more authentically out and proud, I believe more than ever in the importance of celebrating Pride and never forgetting the communities that paved the way before us.
What was your go to place then and what's your go to place now?
Unfortunately, venues called The End and The George & Dragon that no longer exist. Now, places like Dalston Superstore, The Divine and The Cause have the same walking into home feel, and I always see some faces I know.
Whether he's soundtracking a packed dancefloor, championing emerging talent or celebrating the spaces that keep London's queer culture thriving, Jonjo remains a passionate advocate for community through music. Ahead of Pride Sunday High, his message is simple: celebrate, connect and never forget those who paved the way.
